The relationship between catchment characteristics and the parameters of a conceptual runoff model: a study in the south of Sweden

A conceptual model is used to calculate the weekly and monthly runoff for about 400 ungauged catchments in the southernpart of Sweden. To improve the performance of the model, a relationship is sought between model parameters and catchment characteristics. In a special study, 11 basins with a mixed geology and land use but with a low lake percentage are investigated. They are all in an area that is fairly homogeneous from a climatological point of view. Their catchment characteristics are retrieved from standard maps and meteorological data bases. Factors that affect different parts of the hydrograph, as well as the runoff volume, are isolated. Attempts are made to quantify the effects, and to relate them to the relevant model parameters. So far the attempts to improve the simulated runoff volume have been successful, while the effects of catchment characteristics on high and low flows have been difficult to discern.